Upon reaching the second floor, Jiang Zuo found himself in a spacious garden. A variety of trees grew here, all in full bloom.

However, they were completely devoid of life.

It was as if the garden were filled with artificial plants—drab, silent, and lifeless.

Jiang Zuo paid little mind to the plants. His gaze fell upon some Runes on the ground and a few paintings on the walls.

’Blood Demon Runes? And Command Array Patterns?’

Jiang Zuo was a little surprised, and a hint of admiration followed. ’This Blood Demon is quite clever, different from the others. No wonder they’re said to be capable of destroying the Holy Land. But no matter how they make use of this place, it’s impossible for them to move such a powerful weapon out...’

Suddenly, Jiang Zuo froze. ’Why would they even need to move it?’

’The Holy Land is about to charge in. There’s no point in moving anything.’

Jiang Zuo pressed a hand to his forehead, then chuckled. ’Hahaha, to think I was unwittingly used by the Blood Demons. It might have been a coincidence, but they must be ecstatic, right?’

Then, Jiang Zuo’s expression turned cold. ’And I am very unhappy about it.’ 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Indeed, Jiang Zuo had been used. After all, he was the one who had led the Holy Land here.

He disliked the Holy Land, but he hated the thought of having unintentionally helped the Blood Demons even more.

’Come to think of it, wasn’t this job supposed to be handled by that undercover Blood Demon I saw at the coffee shop?’

’Luring them into a trap... The Blood Demons have a clever one in their midst. I wonder who it is.’

Right now, Jiang Zuo felt a strong urge to kill whoever it was first and ask questions later.

’But, I need to calm down. Stay calm.’

Jiang Zuo didn’t know who this clever Blood Demon was, but now that he had seen their Runes and Array Patterns, he could only count them as unlucky.

He would make them feel as much despair as they now felt joy.

The Blood Demon Runes were akin to the core of an Array. From a broader perspective, they could also function as an Array Compass.

These Runes could form an incomplete Grand Array, one with the potential for infinite amplification.

The Command Array Patterns served to link these Runes together, like wiring a network, ultimately forming a complete Grand Array.

While this type of Array wasn’t the most efficient, it was the most compatible and the most difficult to seize control of.

Take the Chen Family’s case. Even though that Feng Shui Formation was powerful, its core was a single Feng Shui Compass. Gaining control of the Compass meant gaining control of the Array.

A Rune-based Array, on the other hand, is like one made of countless Compasses. Seizing control of it quickly is extremely difficult.

However, this type of Array has the weakest Defense. Trying to add defenses to it would be less effective than simply using an Array with a single Compass or core.

The cost-to-benefit ratio was completely skewed.

Putting it out of his mind, Jiang Zuo walked over to a Blood Demon Rune and directly added a few modifications, making sure they wouldn’t be detected.

Then, to his surprise, Jiang Zuo discovered that this place was also a pure, natural array foundation, which made things even more convenient.

A ’pure, natural array foundation’ was one that was compatible with any and all Array Runes.

The Ancient Battlefield, for instance, was also a natural array foundation, but it wasn’t pure. It was only compatible with Arrays specific to a battlefield.

Shortly after, having finished modifying the surrounding Runes and Array Patterns, Jiang Zuo began adding his own components in hidden locations. This would ensure that whenever he was here, he would be absolutely safe and invincible.

Once he was done, Jiang Zuo began searching for the entrance to the third floor. Along the way, he modified every single Blood Demon Rune he came across.

The garden was enormous, and the feeling of dissonance was overwhelming. It was like being a clear-headed, out-of-place observer watching numb, emotionless people wander through a busy intersection.

As time passed, you would find yourself beginning to assimilate with them.

Jiang Zuo was instantly jolted back to his senses. It seemed the second floor was not to be underestimated; it could actually assimilate people.

However, Jiang Zuo didn’t dwell on how the Blood Demons had gotten up here. Although they weren’t part of the Human Race, who could say for sure that there was only one entrance?

But neither the first nor the second floor could do him any harm.

’Assimilate me?’ he scoffed internally. ’In all my countless years, I’ve never even truly slept. How could a place like this possibly assimilate me?’

’Oh, right.’ Jiang Zuo recalled that he had, in fact, tried to fall into a deep slumber twice.

But each time, before he could even sleep for two years, Jiu Xi would come storming up to dig him out of his grave. That annoying-as-hell woman deserved to die.

******

「Outside, at Jingyue’s Residence」

"Master, our junior sister is in seclusion. Are we really not letting her go this time?" Jingyue asked as she entered the main hall to see her master.

Her master was none other than the aunt Jiang Zuo had met, the former Saintess of the Holy Land—Fairy Yue Xi, who used to be known as Saintess Yue Xi.

She currently wore the guise of Su Qi’s aunt, not her true appearance from her time in the Holy Land. Though young and beautiful, this form lacked her usual ethereal air.

In fact, both Jingyue’s and Jiu Xi’s Daoist names were derived from her own.

As Yue Xi had once said, "Seeing as you two were so pitiful, I suppose I can spare a character from my name for each of your Daoist names."

The name Su Qi was her actual birth name. Jingyue also had a birth name, but it was rarely used, so everyone simply used her Daoist name.

Su Qi used her birth name entirely for school and, later, for falling in love and getting married. She had no choice in the matter.

Yue Xi took a sip of water. "What for? Her going won’t change anything."

Jingyue hesitated. "But... Master, are you going to pull me back midway through as well?"

Yue Xi paused. "Hmm, that’s a good idea."

"..."

Then, Jingyue said seriously, "Master, I have premonitions about certain things, too. As a Saintess, I am most sensitive to one’s final doom. I can sense it more clearly than you can."

"Premonitions about one’s doom are unreliable."

"They’re very accurate, and I know it. But you’re uncertain. You’re not sure if sending me or holding me back is what will trigger my doom. Otherwise, you would have already made your move."

Yue Xi looked into Jingyue’s eyes and smiled. "My, my, has our little Yue’er gotten smarter after spending time in the outside world? Not like Xiaojiu, who seems determined to show off how low her IQ can drop ever since she got a man."

Jingyue’s expression remained serious. "Master, I’m trying to be serious here."

"I know, I know. You can go. But retreat immediately at the first sign of danger, understand?"

In truth, if she could avoid it, Yue Xi wouldn’t go either. But if what the video claimed was true, the Holy Land would be in grave danger in half a month’s time.

She could only hope the Blood Demons’ trump card wasn’t as absurdly powerful as she feared.

******

「Perception No. 1」

"Alright, that should do it, right?"

Chen Yi held up a Brocade Bag. "So, who’s going to deliver it?"

Xiao Xiaomo replied, "They leave the day after tomorrow. I’ll deliver it tomorrow. Any earlier and I’m afraid they’ll get too curious and open it right away."

Chen Yi handed the Brocade Bag to Xiao Xiaomo. "Be careful tomorrow. We’ll get into position the day after tomorrow and see if we can pick up any communications from inside. If we can, we might even make a little extra cash."

However, just as everyone assumed the Holy Land would attack the Blood Demons the day after tomorrow, the Holy Land raised the curtains on the war in the early hours of the very next day.

BOOM!!!

Following a massive explosion, the small hill at the construction site was swarmed by a flood of Holy Land Disciples.

It was only then that everyone who had accepted the commission received the news: the Holy Land was attacking the Blood Demons’ main camp.

Everyone was completely flabbergasted. They never expected the Holy Land to launch their attack nearly two days ahead of schedule. Weren’t they even going to give their own people time to prepare?

But there was nothing to be done. The Holy Land had already launched its assault, and they couldn’t possibly wait another day. By then, it would be far too late.